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A Hawaiian hurricane is a tropical cyclone that forms in the Pacific Ocean and affects the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaii lies in the central Pacific, where about four or five tropical cyclones appear each year, although as many as fifteen have occurred, such as in the 2015 season; rarely do these storms actually affect Hawaii. Tropical cyclone records were not kept before the 1950s. Earlier windstorms that struck Hawaii were not labeled as hurricanes.[1] Extratropical cyclones are also common, causing considerable damage; they are known as Kona storms, but are not included in counts of hurricanes. List of tropical cyclones[edit]Tracks of all the tropical cyclones to affect Hawaiʻi until 2006 This list contains every tropical cyclone that had a somewhat notable effect on the State of Hawaiʻi. Pre–1950[edit]
1950s[edit]
1960s[edit]
1970s[edit]
1980s[edit]
1990s[edit]
2000s[edit]Radar image of Hurricane Jimena passing by south of Hawaiʻi as a tropical storm.
2010s[edit]Hurricane Iselle approaching Hawaii as a minimal hurricane.
2020s[edit]
Monthly statistics and landfalls[edit]In total, 67 tropical cyclones have affected Hawaiʻi since official record-keeping began in 1949.
Deadliest storms[edit]At least 29 people have died in Hawaiʻi as a result of tropical cyclones since 1949.
Hawaii's apparent immunity to most hurricanes[edit]Hurricanes in the Central Pacific (140° W to 180 ° W) generally travel from east to west, however, some including Hurricanes Iwa (1982) and Iniki (1992) track in a northerly direction Snow on Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea after storm passes Hawaii Island. The islands of Hawaii, with Kauai as the notable exception, appear to be remarkably immune from direct hurricane hits. The USGS states that "more commonly, near-misses that generate large swell and moderately high winds causing varying degrees of damage are the hallmark of hurricanes passing close to the islands."[42] This has also drawn media attention.[43][44] One notion is that Hawaii's volcanic peaks slow down or divert storms.[45] A partial source of this idea may be the long list of hurricanes in the above paragraphs that dissipated into tropical storms or depressions upon approaching the islands. Satellite images of Hurricane Flossie's breakup when approaching Hawaii Island fueled this idea.[46] Another example may be Hurricane Felicia which dropped from Category 4 down to a tropical depression with residual winds predicted at only 35 miles per hour (56 km/h).[47] Tropical Storm Flossie (not to be confused with Hurricane Flossie in 2007) provides still another example. On July 28, 2013, the storm appeared headed for a direct hit to the Big Island, home to Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Both mountains rise to elevations in excess of 13,000 feet above sea level, and as Flossie approached the island, its track shifted abruptly overnight and assumed a more northerly alignment, heading instead to the island of Maui on July 29.[48] Wind data in particular supports the USGS assertion that hurricane damage has been low on all islands except for Kauai. Data collected by the Western Regional Climate Center show no hurricane-strength winds on any Hawaii Islands with the exception of Kauai.[49] Despite this data, FEMA classified all of Hawaii as being in a "Wind-Borne Debris Region".[50][51][52] Effect on homeowner's insurance[edit]Before Hurricane Iniki in 1992, a standard homeowner's insurance policy with extended coverage provided hurricane coverage. Since Iniki, many insurance policies exclude hurricane and a separate hurricane policy is required to obtain hurricane coverage.[citation needed] See also[edit]
Notes[edit]
References[edit]
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Does Hawaii get hit with a lot of hurricanes?Hurricanes don't directly hit Hawaii all that often. However, the islands do experience tropical storms and heavy winds. Experts are predicting a below average hurricane season for Hawaii in 2022.
Are hurricanes likely in Hawaii?Hurricane landfalls are rare in Hawaii, but brushes by tropical systems are common. El Niño years are typically more active in the central Pacific. Most dangerous hurricanes come from the south.
How many hurricanes happen a year in Hawaii?Hawaii lies in the central Pacific, where about four or five tropical cyclones appear each year, although as many as fifteen have occurred, such as in the 2015 season; rarely do these storms actually affect Hawaii. Tropical cyclone records were not kept before the 1950s.
What months are hurricanes in Hawaii?The Central Pacific Hurricane Season officially runs from June 1 until November 30, though tropical cyclones can occur off season and storms can happen at any time of the year.
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